Lengthy, but fully serious, legal quandry.

Grugthejust

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This summer I'm taking my motorized bike cross country. From Empire State building to the Golden Gate Bridge.

I've read through the legal information on:

http://moped2.org/mstates.htm

The 13 states I'm going through are.

-New York
-New Jersey
-Pennsylvania
-West Virginia
-Ohio
-Indiana
-Illinois
-Missouri
-Kansas
-Colorado
-Utah
-Nevada
-California

Consider that the time spent in either New York, New Jersey and West Virginia will be relatively negligible. I'll be out of New Jersey at the end of day 1 even if I pedal, and West Virginia is about 5 miles wide where I'm crossing it.

The question is; I live in New York, I cannot get it registered, or insured here, which is a major commonality on laws through a good number of these states. I intend to have headlight, tail-light, turn signals, mirror, full helmet, ect. I have a valid license in NY, should I worry too much about the lack of insurance and registration in other states?

I mean, I'm quite good at talking my way out of situations, but I'm wondering if I should get this thing registered in another state just to have a plate on it to avoid a hassle.

Also, has anyone on here had run in's with the law that went beyond a fine?

If anyone has answers, or even questions feel free to ask 'em.
 
Well, Grug. I live in NY and I bought a junk moped with a reg. , stamped the make & numbers on my bike, insured it (fifty bucks/yr.) and regisered it.
That plate on the back is my golden pass to hassle free riding.

If you can register it somewhere out of the Empire strikes back state - go for it. Otherwise consider doing what I did.
 
I live in NY and I bought a junk moped with a reg. , stamped the make & numbers on my bike, insured it (fifty bucks/yr.) and regisered it.

Just to make sure I'm following, if I purchase a junk moped, from this state or otherwise, I could use that info to register my bike. I understand some of the details here, but I'm just wondering if I'm filling in the right blanks mentally.

Would I have to effectively "register" that moped and toss the info and plate on my bike, correct?
 
hey grug when you come through mo you dont half to worry about that junk here it is completly street legal in missouri who know maybe we can meet up depends on what part you come throough weather i'll be able to meet up with you good luck man...
 
...who know maybe we can meet up depends on what part you come throough weather i'll be able to meet up with you good luck man...
I should be coming along I-64/I-70 though that is a rough route because obviously I won't be using the actual interstate.
 
I want to answer your question- I essentialy made my bike into the moped by the stamped numbers, added the required lighting.
My son, who is a policeman said the number plate I made wouldn't look too good, so I blended it into the fork head after welding with bondo. Now, this bike is a Puch, in the very unlikely event I would get stopped, it is a customized Puch.

Went to the DMV with the reg (and insurance FS form) and licensed it. While I was there, I requested it to be made into the lowest class (20 mph max) since at the time it would only go 20. The lady looked up the model and said. twnty max?" I said yes. And she changed it from class B.

It will be insured anyway, but that is one less legal hoop.

Most of the mopeds sold were not class C, and the person you get at the window may not be as accomidating as this lady.
I felt it was worth a shot, of course, I am legally limited to 20 mph and most of the time that is what I do.

I do have the motor hidden becuse I sometimes am on the sidewalk (going slow and pedaling) and prefer to not be noticed as motorized. I wear a motorcycle helmet, I ride very sensibly.
Half the motorcycles here are mufflerless and these morons do not get bothered, I never expect to be either on my quiet little bike.
 
The good thing about getting it registered as a motor vehicle is that other states generally have reciprocity with your state concerning motor vehicle registration. So, even though you might not be able to register your bike in Ohio if you lived there, because it's registered in NY, you wouldn't get hassled.

The down side of registering as a MV is that you typically are not allowed to legally ride in bicycle lanes or sidewalks. (actually, you can get ticketed for riding on the sidewalk on a bicycle, too...)

In AZ, no license is required for my MB, and I can (and should) ride in bicycle lanes. But, I can't exceed 20 MPH, because, if I do, I can get slammed for riding an unregistered/uninsured moped. If I get it registered as a Moped, then I CAN go faster than 20 (but less than 35,) and am required to ride on the street - I can get ticketed for riding in the bike lane...
 
Depends on where you are, here there are signs banning motorized vehicles from bike paths.
And, bicycles are not allowed on sidewalks anywhere, BUT where I am, no one is ever bothered. Being there is a lot safer and less an obstruction to car drivers.
 
Grug, what will you be riding?

Right now I've got the money, just reading up on a good number of details. Frankly, for cross country I'm leaning towards a 4 stroke with attached tank. As for the bike underneath, I have a couple of options.

Anyone know whether or not 2 stroke or 4 stroke is ultimately better for this endeavor I have read quite a number of posts on the matter, and they both have pros and cons?
 
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